Beijing Subway Will Accept Payment Via Mobile Phones By 2017

Using Beijing’s subway is about to get a lot easier. The capital's subway system has just completed a major upgrade to its automatic fare collection system. And beginning in 2017 Beijing will finally start implementing ‘smart technology’ into its subway payment system, People's Daily reports.

At some point in the semi-near future, Beijingers will be able to purchase subway tickets using their mobile phones or online. The new system will begin with a testing period in the beginning of 2017 and will subsequently (slowly) begin implimenting the new payment options.

While this is exciting news in itself, there are other changes on the horizon too.

A universal China transportation card will also be usable in Beijing’s buses by the end of this year. There are also plans to incorporate these cards into the capital’s subway system by the end of 2017. According to transportation officials, the China transportation cards will be able to be used in all major cities by 2018.